OLYMPIA, Wash. – Alauna Carstens (Jr.) from The Evergreen State College has been chosen as the NAIA West Region Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Year for the 2025 season by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA). She was chosen in a vote by USTFCCCA member coaches.
This is Carstens' second West Region Athlete of the Year award. She was named the NAIA West Region Women's Indoor Track Athlete of the Year during the 2025 season.
Carstens, who won the Cascade Collegiate Conference individual cross country championship on Nov. 7, will compete at the 2025 NAIA Cross Country National Championships on Friday, Nov. 21 in Tallahassee, Florida. The championships will be held at Apalachee Regional Park.
In addition to winning the CCC Championship, Carstens earned first place twice and third place once in her other three races this fall. She set the Evergreen record with a time of 20:15.20 while winning the 6-kilometer race at the Linfield George Oja Invitational on Oct. 18. It was the second-fastest time in NAIA women's cross country history.
"This cross country season has been one of my most consistent and I'm thankful that has been recognized," Carstens said. "I'm excited to finish the season at Nationals on Friday in Florida and feel ready to compete for an All-American spot."
Carstens will be making her second trip to the NAIA National Championships in cross country. She placed 15th at the NAIA Championships in 2023 to earn All-America status. She sat out the cross country season in 2024 while preparing for the NAIA Marathon Classic, which she won last December.
"It's another great day to be a Geoduck!," Evergreen Head Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Joel Pearson commented. "This award speaks volumes to the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices that Alauna put in and made over the summer and early fall.
"After very successful races at PLU, Willamette, George Oja, and CCC Championships, we are confident, and excited, heading into our postseason with NAIA Cross Country in Tallahassee and the NAIA Marathon in Dallas," Pearson added. "The coaching staff and family are extremely proud of Alauna!"
"Alauna's work ethic is unmatched across all she does," said Evergreen Assistant Cross Country and Track and Field Coach Katie Burnett. "We are proud of her for her continued efforts, and grateful that she is being acknowledged with this award for her success."